President Trump and US politics catchall

[dpedin]

I understand that Trump's meeting with the King has been downgraded to lunch with Prince Andrew.

At least they will have common interests

... and a few mates, or deceased/incarcerated mates, in common!

[tabascoboy]

Well I wonder what could have caused this...

[Hal Jordan]

Woke trans DEI energy contractors?

[Jock42]

I must have had a mental 7 month long fever dream in '09 because I swear I was involved in a war at the request of the Yanks. Spunktrumpet!

[Slick]

Fair enough, it was a tough interview by the looks of it.

[tabascoboy]

Fair enough, it was a tough interview by the looks of it.

He's now saying he wasn't talking about the UK and France: "I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond" even though both countries have been the only ones talking about boots on the ground in Ukraine.

This is going to be a trademark of these morons isn't it, veiled insults followed "oh I didn't mean you" when pulled up on it...

[Flockwitt]

It won't be just a few hockey fans on a wind up that are going to start booing the US national anthem. And we're not even a month into this flustercuck of a presidency.

[Uncle fester]

Had a look at both the Conservative and Republican reddits. Republican one is a lost cause but there are glimmers of hope in the Conservative one.

[Guy Smiley]

[fishfoodie]

Fair enough, it was a tough interview by the looks of it.

He's now saying he wasn't talking about the UK and France: "I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond" even though both countries have been the only ones talking about boots on the ground in Ukraine.

This is going to be a trademark of these morons isn't it, veiled insults followed "oh I didn't mean you" when pulled up on it...

It's just the Kiwi's & Ozzies so !, because he certainly isn't talking about any of the Arabs, 'cause they have all the money now, so they are immune from criticism.

My money is on the Kiwi's, cause they had a woman PM, & JD, doesn't agree with that sort of thing !!, & the Ozzies are dumb enough to think ARKUS was a good deal, so they are clearly mugs that will hand over all their money to grifters.

[fishfoodie]

Well I wonder what could have caused this...

.....Mmmmm, perhaps the Canucks have discovered the spirit they had when they burned the WH down !

Turning off the power they generously supply to the US would be a good start, along with the 100% tariff on Space Karens cremation boxes.

[sockwithaticket]

Well I wonder what could have caused this...

.....Mmmmm, perhaps the Canucks have discovered the spirit they had when they burned the WH down !

Turning off the power they generously supply to the US would be a good start, along with the 100% tariff on Space Karens cremation boxes.

Lest we forget, a few things the Canadians did during WW1 ended up in the Geneva Convention.

All "eh", "aboot", mooses and maple syrup nice guy act is but a facade. Canadian Geese are particularly vicious even by goose standards!

[Niegs]

Eh now, bud! We say ABOAT!

[Niegs]

[Tichtheid]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

[Hugo]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

I agree, most blend into the background a lot of the time. Vance actually shares top billing, more a co-star than supporting actor.

Yes, that would be my read, he will be the continuation MAGA candidate in 2028 and by that point in time I think they want him to be seen almost as the incumbent.

It is a complete revision of the role of the VP and actually somewhat interesting in that he clearly has a bigger voice and a more defined role in this admin than Harris was able to carve out in the last one. Maybe the MAGA political strategists have looked at that (and say, Gores inability to move out of Clintons shadow in 2000) and decided that this is the best way to make him electable in 2028.

[Slick]

Exactly, Medvedev says hi.

Will we see a new position created that Trump can handily take up.

[Chilli2]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

I agree, most blend into the background a lot of the time. Vance actually shares top billing, more a co-star than supporting actor.

Yes, that would be my read, he will be the continuation MAGA candidate in 2028 and by that point in time I think they want him to be seen almost as the incumbent.

It is a complete revision of the role of the VP and actually somewhat interesting in that he clearly has a bigger voice and a more defined role in this admin than Harris was able to carve out in the last one. Maybe the MAGA political strategists have looked at that (and say, Gores inability to move out of Clintons shadow in 2000) and decided that this is the best way to make him electable in 2028.

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

[dpedin]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

I agree, most blend into the background a lot of the time. Vance actually shares top billing, more a co-star than supporting actor.

Yes, that would be my read, he will be the continuation MAGA candidate in 2028 and by that point in time I think they want him to be seen almost as the incumbent.

It is a complete revision of the role of the VP and actually somewhat interesting in that he clearly has a bigger voice and a more defined role in this admin than Harris was able to carve out in the last one. Maybe the MAGA political strategists have looked at that (and say, Gores inability to move out of Clintons shadow in 2000) and decided that this is the best way to make him electable in 2028.

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

The next President will be whoever Putin has decided will be the next President!

[geordie_6]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

The only similarly vociferous VP I can think of is Spiro Agnew with the student protests against the Vietnam War and Kent State.

[sockwithaticket]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

I agree, most blend into the background a lot of the time. Vance actually shares top billing, more a co-star than supporting actor.

Yes, that would be my read, he will be the continuation MAGA candidate in 2028 and by that point in time I think they want him to be seen almost as the incumbent.

It is a complete revision of the role of the VP and actually somewhat interesting in that he clearly has a bigger voice and a more defined role in this admin than Harris was able to carve out in the last one. Maybe the MAGA political strategists have looked at that (and say, Gores inability to move out of Clintons shadow in 2000) and decided that this is the best way to make him electable in 2028.

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

Trump won't get a say. He ran to stay out of prison, stroke his ego and keep funneling money into his pockets, he gives not a single fuck about governing beyond the opportunities presented to strut in front of a camera. Musk, Thiel. Bezos and the rest of the meddlesome oligarchs are the ones directing things now, Trump just signs the executive orders they draw up.

There's a good chance Trump doesn't even make it to the end of his term, given how unhealthy he is it's a suprise he's made it this far.

[Slick]

I agree, most blend into the background a lot of the time. Vance actually shares top billing, more a co-star than supporting actor.

Yes, that would be my read, he will be the continuation MAGA candidate in 2028 and by that point in time I think they want him to be seen almost as the incumbent.

It is a complete revision of the role of the VP and actually somewhat interesting in that he clearly has a bigger voice and a more defined role in this admin than Harris was able to carve out in the last one. Maybe the MAGA political strategists have looked at that (and say, Gores inability to move out of Clintons shadow in 2000) and decided that this is the best way to make him electable in 2028.

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

Trump won't get a say. He ran to stay out of prison, stroke his ego and keep funneling money into his pockets, he gives not a single fuck about governing beyond the opportunities presented to strut in front of a camera. Musk, Thiel. Bezos and the rest of the meddlesome oligarchs are the ones directing things now, Trump just signs the executive orders they draw up.

There's a good chance Trump doesn't even make it to the end of his term, given how unhealthy he is it's a suprise he's made it this far.

I think this is completely wrong to be honest. He didn't give a fuck in his first term but he has come into this one better organised and with a full agenda. He is directing it.

[Brazil]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

The only similarly vociferous VP I can think of is Spiro Agnew with the student protests against the Vietnam War and Kent State.

Dick Cheney, surely? Bush actually deferred to him when Iraq was being debated with Blair.

[tabascoboy]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

Or being set up as the useful idiot, can be used as an escape goat if things go to shit too much and they want to protect the shitgibbon

[sockwithaticket]

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

Trump won't get a say. He ran to stay out of prison, stroke his ego and keep funneling money into his pockets, he gives not a single fuck about governing beyond the opportunities presented to strut in front of a camera. Musk, Thiel. Bezos and the rest of the meddlesome oligarchs are the ones directing things now, Trump just signs the executive orders they draw up.

There's a good chance Trump doesn't even make it to the end of his term, given how unhealthy he is it's a suprise he's made it this far.

I think this is completely wrong to be honest. He didn't give a fuck in his first term but he has come into this one better organised and with a full agenda. He is directing it.

You've pooh-poohed the Project 2025 stuff before, but it's those people who created the agenda and brought it to the Whitehouse, it's all their ideas that are being put into place. There's been plenty of footage of Musk holding court in the Oval and during Cabinet meetings while Trump just sits there. even when the assumption would be that it's his time to speak.

Trump's vanity and vindictiveness towards individuals is indulged where it doesn't jeopardise the goals of those who funded his campaign and created the reams of executive orders that were ready to go.

Even long before he was ever near politics, Trump's character was known. He's not a planner, he lacks foresight and an attention span.

[Biffer]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

They're making sure he's prominent in case Trump's mental decline accelerates or he suddenly pops it.

Amendment 25 of the constitution may play a part as well.

[sockwithaticket]

It's very silly given the gravity of everything, but this did make me laugh.

[Paddington Bear]

Trump has already said that Vance will not be his successor.

Trump won't get a say. He ran to stay out of prison, stroke his ego and keep funneling money into his pockets, he gives not a single fuck about governing beyond the opportunities presented to strut in front of a camera. Musk, Thiel. Bezos and the rest of the meddlesome oligarchs are the ones directing things now, Trump just signs the executive orders they draw up.

There's a good chance Trump doesn't even make it to the end of his term, given how unhealthy he is it's a suprise he's made it this far.

I think this is completely wrong to be honest. He didn't give a fuck in his first term but he has come into this one better organised and with a full agenda. He is directing it.

Agree with this. I don’t see how you can look at the flurry of meaningful activity in this administration, compare it to the flapping and performative stuff of his last one and claim that this is a man who just wants to be saluted. He was clearly stung by what happened during his last term and by the attempts to prosecute him, and has understood far better how to get things done in government this time around.


Vance is a significant factor in that as a younger smarter man with a legal background, but that is exactly why Trump appointed him when just about everyone told him it was a bad idea.

[SaintK]

Badenoch obviously doesn't read whata the papers think of Vance or what the general public opinion was

The fact is that he didn’t say Britain or France in his original answer, and then when he saw that it was being alleged that he had, he came out and clarified that he wasn’t talking about Britain and France.

the party’s chief whip had told MPs “that views don’t necessarily need to be aired on Twitter”.

[geordie_6]

I don't recall any US vice president being so vocal or so, err, ubiquitous. Most of the time a lot of people, including myself, have no idea who the VP is. They appear on the ticket but for years after the election it's "who the fox hat?"

He's being used as the Top Goon, it would seem. Is he being lined up for the next run already?

The only similarly vociferous VP I can think of is Spiro Agnew with the student protests against the Vietnam War and Kent State.

Dick Cheney, surely? Bush actually deferred to him when Iraq was being debated with Blair.

I think I'd gotten used to seeing him as the then defacto President, to the point of forgetting about him

[geordie_6]

Supreme Court reject Trump's request to withhold payment from foreign aid groups. Coney Barrett and Roberts joined the liberal judges for a 5-4 decision.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-suprem ... 025-03-05/

[Biffer]

Supreme Court reject Trump's request to withhold payment from foreign aid groups. Coney Barrett and Roberts joined the liberal judges for a 5-4 decision.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-suprem ... 025-03-05/

Astonishing that four judges would agree that it's legal to not pay for contracted work that has already been completed.

[Biffer]

Trump won't get a say. He ran to stay out of prison, stroke his ego and keep funneling money into his pockets, he gives not a single fuck about governing beyond the opportunities presented to strut in front of a camera. Musk, Thiel. Bezos and the rest of the meddlesome oligarchs are the ones directing things now, Trump just signs the executive orders they draw up.

There's a good chance Trump doesn't even make it to the end of his term, given how unhealthy he is it's a suprise he's made it this far.

I think this is completely wrong to be honest. He didn't give a fuck in his first term but he has come into this one better organised and with a full agenda. He is directing it.

Agree with this. I don’t see how you can look at the flurry of meaningful activity in this administration, compare it to the flapping and performative stuff of his last one and claim that this is a man who just wants to be saluted. He was clearly stung by what happened during his last term and by the attempts to prosecute him, and has understood far better how to get things done in government this time around.


Vance is a significant factor in that as a younger smarter man with a legal background, but that is exactly why Trump appointed him when just about everyone told him it was a bad idea.

But he's decided the way to get things done is to act illegally.

If you'd said two years ago that the USA would be threatening Canada, Greenland and Panama, would be firing tens of thousands of people illegally, and would be ignoring the position and rights of Congress, people on the centre right would accuse you of having some kind of obsessive lunacy about Trump. Now those same people gloss over that, and call you crazy if you mention fascism. They'll be doing the same when minority groups are rounded up.

[SaintK]

You'd never have guessed it!!!

The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul a $42.5bn Biden-era program designed to connect tens of millions of rural Americans to reliable and affordable high-speed internet, in a move that is expected to benefit billionaire Elon Musk.

Howard Lutnick, the commerce department secretary who has oversight of the federal program, recently told senior officials inside the department that he wants to make significant changes to the federal program, sources with knowledge of the matter told the Guardian.

Instead of promoting an expensive buildout of fiber optic networks – as the Biden administration sought to do – Lutnick has said he wants states to choose the internet technology that would be low cost for taxpayers.
That, experts agree, would favor satellite companies such as Musk’s Starlink.

[Stranger]

I don't normally post on politics threads, but I just want to go on record to say "I fucking hate Trump and the MAGA twats"

[Niegs]

You'd never have guessed it!!!

The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul a $42.5bn Biden-era program designed to connect tens of millions of rural Americans to reliable and affordable high-speed internet, in a move that is expected to benefit billionaire Elon Musk.

Howard Lutnick, the commerce department secretary who has oversight of the federal program, recently told senior officials inside the department that he wants to make significant changes to the federal program, sources with knowledge of the matter told the Guardian.

Instead of promoting an expensive buildout of fiber optic networks – as the Biden administration sought to do – Lutnick has said he wants states to choose the internet technology that would be low cost for taxpayers.
That, experts agree, would favor satellite companies such as Musk’s Starlink.

Do those satellites only have a short life? Is it really cheaper to run short lived space based tech than earth bound?

[Sandstorm]

I don't normally post on politics threads, but I just want to go on record to say "I fucking hate Trump and the MAGA twats"

All aboard the train, Stranger.

[fishfoodie]

You'd never have guessed it!!!

The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul a $42.5bn Biden-era program designed to connect tens of millions of rural Americans to reliable and affordable high-speed internet, in a move that is expected to benefit billionaire Elon Musk.

Howard Lutnick, the commerce department secretary who has oversight of the federal program, recently told senior officials inside the department that he wants to make significant changes to the federal program, sources with knowledge of the matter told the Guardian.

Instead of promoting an expensive buildout of fiber optic networks – as the Biden administration sought to do – Lutnick has said he wants states to choose the internet technology that would be low cost for taxpayers.
That, experts agree, would favor satellite companies such as Musk’s Starlink.

Do those satellites only have a short life? Is it really cheaper to run short lived space based tech than earth bound?

Yes they do, it's the nature of putting objects in LEO, they fall to earth sooner, & you have to put more of them up, because they aren't in geostationary orbits, that are further out; but because the fuckwit in charge thinks he's a gamer & so is obsessed with ping times, that's where they are.

So no they aren't cheaper, & as a result every starlink unit that sold is sold at a loss, & there's zero chance of the system ever washing it's face.

[Biffer]

You'd never have guessed it!!!

Do those satellites only have a short life? Is it really cheaper to run short lived space based tech than earth bound?

Yes they do, it's the nature of putting objects in LEO, they fall to earth sooner, & you have to put more of them up, because they aren't in geostationary orbits, that are further out; but because the fuckwit in charge thinks he's a gamer & so is obsessed with ping times, that's where they are.

So no they aren't cheaper, & as a result every starlink unit that sold is sold at a loss, & there's zero chance of the system ever washing it's face.

The capital outlay on satellites is over $60billion. The have a life of about eight years. After that they need replaced to keep the network complete.

That means there's a rolling capital cost of $7.5billion every year. Plus all your other costs around ground infrastructure, staff wages, etc etc. I see no way in hell that's a viable business model.

Edit just to say those numbers are from a small satellite conference I was at a couple of years ago where there were short, independently researched presentations on each of the mega constellations.

Backed up by various bits of press as well, e.g. https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/ ... on-a-year/

[Biffer]

30 years ago, Carl Sagan predicted what the United States would be like in the future. How accurate is it today?

"I have a foreboding of an America in my children's or grandchildren's time — when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what's true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness...”
~Carl Sagan in "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark"